Noah Merrill was born in Smithfield, Connecticut, June 8, 1809. His early life was passed in New York and Ohio. In 1837 he settled near Rock Falls, south of
the river and opposite Eagle Island. He built a cabin 12 x 15 feet covered
with bark and provided with a puncheon floor. Mr Merrill and his family first lived with Mr. Daniel Brooks who then resided where the portion of Rock Falls,
now called "Gopher Town" is. The united families numbered eleven souls, and
one bed and the floor furnished sleeping accommodations for all. As the women
were sisters the families lived upon peaceable terms. In 1838 Mr. Merrill and family settled in their own cabin and broke several acres of prairie. The same
land had been claimed by Elijah Worthington of Harrisburg, his claim having
been made by plowing around the land. The anti-claim jumpers association upon
the north side of the river, through a committee, notified Mr. Merrill that he
must abandon the claim under penalty of having his cabin, himself, and family
thrown into the river. This gentle demand, Mr. Merrill decided to resist, and in
company with Mr. Daniel Brooks secured arms and awaited the visitors, but they
came not. Mr Merrill sold his claim and afterwards owned several farms in the
neighborhood and worked at this trade in Harrisburg until 1850, when he went
to California and suffered great hardships. After a stay of four years on
the Pacific coast he returned to Sterling where he now resides. Mr Merrill
was married to Miss Amanda Lewis in New York, September 5 1829. Children:
Alamanza, born June 11 1831; Seth R, born December 19 1832; Zelemma born
October 24 1835; Nelson B, born November 6, 1838. Mr Merrill died December 22,
1873 aged 63 years.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County IL 1877 Pg 130
